Swan Island Dahlias- Trip Report

August 25, 2025

This year I returned to Swan Island Dahlias for a special workshop. The owners welcomed me and my group with open arms and treated us like royalty. With special permission we were able to photograph at the farm without restriction. They even allowed us in their giant root cellar when temperatures were high so that we could photograph buckets and buckets of cut dahlias in a cool setting. The lighting was LED not fluorescent so that helped too!

During the workshop we did an image review daily and clients shared their favorites from the International Test Rose Garden, sunflower field (we had a bonus— giant sunflower field to photograph) and the dahlia farm. Sharing images is one of the best ways to get some inspiration and insight during the trip. Clients not only learn from me, but they also learn from each other; it’s my favorite part of every trip.

The group was a joy to work with; every person was enthusiastic and kind. On the trip there was a combination of new and familiar faces. Donna Bourdon and Harold Klein both helped me in the field and I appreciated their generous contribution to the success of the workshop.

In addition, Donna assisted me as I gave three informative photo walks for the festival, and we met folks from near and far that came out to see us and the dahlias. Overall, it was my best Swan Island trip to date! I am already planning on a return visit in the near future.

Below is a collection of some of my favorites. I have more to come. I might even get around to naming these since I took a catalog with all the names from Swan Island.

All images were captured with my Olympus OM-1 Mark II Mirrorless Camera and Olympus 12-40mm lens. I meant to bring my Voigtlander 17.5mm f0.95 Nokton Micro Four Thirds Lens to do some super close up, soft work, but took the wrong lens by mistake. I was still able to capture most of what I wanted by using manual focus and getting in tight.

In-camera multiple exposure overlay —soft/sharp

2 image multiple exposure done in-camera by turning the camera slightly for the second image.

My first bumble bee on a dahlia. Not sure 100% of the type of bumble bee and would appreciate a positive ID.

I call this shallow depth of field image “Candy Corn”

The dahlia farm allowed us to cut the flower heads off in their root cellar!!

A special thank you to Heather and Brendon for making our time at Swan Island Dahlia Farm so special. Their dahlia festival runs through September 28th and is held yearly at the farm. For more information visit their site at Swan Island Dahlias.

*The hand painted mural at the top of the page was painted by Katie Daisy and Karen Eland. Katie Daisy artwork can be purchased through the Swan Island Mercantile.

Finland Wolves and Wolverines-Second Trip Announced!

August 16, 2025

After quickly selling out all of the spots for my Wolves and Wolverines in Finland Photo tour, I am announcing a second one to run directly after the first trip. Dates: August 11-17, 2026, same exact trip but with different dates. This photography tour will need a minimum of 6 to go.

Join Denise Ippolito and three professional guides on a 7-day adventure deep in the Finnish forests; this is the only place on earth where it is possible to photograph bears, wolves and wolverines at the same place…at the same time! These meetings are magical and the photographic possibilities are endless. Set in a mystic wetland deep in the forest where ancient pine trees create the perfect setting for encounters with these majestic predators.

There are several different hides, we will choose the hide that has the best surroundings in order to give us the most incredible photographic opportunities. It will be a lifetime goal for me to see and photograph wolves with forested backgrounds. Let alone wolverines! We have 6 days in the hides and we will change between the different hides and settings to capture a variety of scenes.

Hides:

There are several hides in the area. We will use 4 different ones:

The Bog, often called “paradise”. This is the place where you can often see up to 6-8 bears and several wolves at the same time. Wolverines often can be seen as well.
The Lake. A small lake where its possible to shoot bears walking and playing at the shoreline. Great spot for reflection shots etc..
The Owl Forest. Great spot to shoot especially wolverines in a forest environment. bears and wolves often roam here too…
The Pine Forest. Fantastic forest scene with old trees with an almost mysterious atmosphere. Amazing place for all 3 predators.

The animals may come very close to the hides, but normally they stay around 25-30 meters away. There are no risks involved in being this close to these magnificent animals, but it is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. In addition, we have timed this for optimal autumn colors!

Accommodations:

We will be staying at a nearby hotel. Single and twin rooms are available. The single supplement gives you your own room at an additional cost.

Airport of choice:

Rovaniemi (RVN). You must arrive the day before the tour starts.

Photography gear:

We recommend lenses in the range of 100-600mm. A detailed PDF file with gear, clothing and travel recommendations will be sent to all participants once the trip reaches its minimum.

Physical fitness:

No requirements. The hides are only max 100m away from the car.

Dates: August 11-17, 2026

Cost: $6999.usd, shared room

Single supplement-$800.

Limit 8

Included:

6 nights hotel accommodations/shared basis

6 days of hide photography where we will change blinds for different photo opportunities.

3 award winning photography guides and one local guide.

Expert field instruction including camera settings, gear selection, and exposure.

All ground transfers

Breakfast daily

Not Included:

Airfare to and from Rovaniemi (RVN)

Any nights prior or after the workshop.

Meals and drinks, with the exception of breakfast. We may have our dinners packed so we can bring them to the hide, this will be determined on location.

Laundry, or any additional items of a personal nature.

Visa and/or travel insurance.

TO SIGN UP FOR THIS EPIC ADVENTURE -CLICK HERE.

Deposit Information:

A non-refundable deposit of $2,000 due now to hold your spot. Final payments are due January 15, 2026 via check or wire transfer only, fees on both ends are the responsibility of the participant. Credit cards will not be accepted for any payment other than deposit. Full payments are always welcomed via check or wire transfer . All checks made payable to: Denise Ippolito LLC. Please note that I will do my very best to secure you a room mate; if I am unable to secure you a room mate then you will be charged for a single supplement.

Please be sure to check your calendar carefully and to check out my Workshop Policy Page.

Note: Purchasing travel insurance is strongly recommended.

All images provided to me by my guide as this will be my first visit. That is why I am bringing along 3 guides. I want to insure we have the very best photo opportunities.

Coastal Brown Bear with Cubs ~ June 14-21, 2026 ANNOUNCED!

August 13, 2025

This is a much BIGGER, BETTER, BEAR BOAT than previously offered.

Coastal Brown Bear with Cubs
A Creative Adventure Workshop
June 14-21, 2026- $8999.

Join Donna Bourdon and Harold Klein on a spectacular adventure to Katmai National Park, AK to photograph Coastal Brown Bears with cubs. June is prime time for viewing and making images of small, young milk-laced mouth cubs. In addition to making portraits of both adults and cubs, we hope to photograph the wrestling youngsters and the tender nursing scenes. At this time of year the bears are either grazing in lush grass or clamming. There will also be some two- and three-year old cubs to add to the fun. And we will get to photograph it all!

Itinerary-

June 14th-arrive via float plane from Kodiak to Katmai (where our yacht will be mooring)

The float plane will pick everyone up from the Best Western Kodiak Inn - departure time from the hotel is 8:00am. It is best to arrive the night before or even two nights prior to the start of the trip - this is Alaska and fog is an issue for flights-so be prepared. The float plane trip is not included in the price and runs approximately $850.00 for the round trip fare. It is about a 45 minute flight (those suffering from motion sickness should be fine, as I (Denise) never get sick on this flight and I suffer terribly from motion sickness. I also never got sick on the boat. I think because it is anchored just off-shore in relatively calm waters. And we get off the boat frequently.

We should have time for an afternoon photoshoot with the bears on our first day.

Our daily schedule: June 15-20th

Just after breakfast (when the fog usually lifts) we will travel by skiff to just outside the shore area - which requires about 250 feet of walking in water, wearing hip waders (provided by the boat). You will need to carry your equipment. In the past we have only had a few times where this was difficult and everyone helped each other. Some women were in their 80’s when they did this, so it is not too hard, but you need to have decent balance to walk in the water with your gear. You can place your camera gear in a dry bag/backpack for safety if you need to. The water is usually knee deep.

Once on shore, we walk with the bears and photograph for around 3-4 hours depending on the action/weather/light. Our knowledgeable guide will assist everyone along with Donna and Harold--both have done this trip multiple times. After our adventure we will return to the boat for a delicious dinner together.

Each day we will have 2 outings, sometimes we will be photographing on land, and other times from the skiff depending on location/conditions. As we continue to explore parts of the Katmai Wilderness, each new day will unfold unique photography situations. The beauty of Alaska will keep you coming back year after year; it just seeps into your soul. Photoshop, Lightroom, image review, gear assistance will be done on our downtime.

*There should be time in between our outings to photograph from the boat, both landscapes and marine life. There will also be time to fish for halibut for those interested, you will need to get a permit ahead of time.

June 21st- the last day

Early morning photo shoot - typically on land, then we will pack up our gear and get ready for the float plane pick up which is usually late morning/early afternoon to fly us back to Kodiak.

I recommend booking a night’s stay at the Best Western in Kodiak after our trip as there can be delays with weather, high seas, fog, etc… This will make your flight home a more relaxed experience.

*This itinerary is subject to change due to local conditions, weather and boat captain.

Included:

All accommodations onboard the yacht

All meals and beverages

Guide fees

Permits for Katmai NP

Hip wader rentals

Daily transport from boat to shore

Shared accommodation- 2 per room, no single supplements available

Not Included:

Airfare to Kodiak

Float Plane

Hotel bookings before/after trip

Excess baggage fees

Alcoholic beverages, laundry or personal items. (Laundry is available at a fee)

Tips for crew (approximately $300pp)

Any emergency services, if needed.

*A detailed PDF will be sent to all participants with all logistics, gear and clothing suggestions. This trip needs a minimum of 8 -please don’t make any flight arrangements until we have reached our minimum.

Deposit Information: A non-refundable deposit of $2,000. Final payments are due February 10, 2026. Final payments are via check or wire transfer only. If paying via wire transfer- fees for both ends of the transfer are your responsibility. Credit cards will not be accepted for any payment other than deposit. Full payments are always welcomed via check or wire transfer. All checks made payable to: Denise Ippolito LLC.

Please be sure to check your calendar carefully and to check out my Workshop Policy Page.

*Note: Purchasing travel insurance is strongly recommended.

Finland Wolves and Wolverines!

July 25, 2025

I am super excited for this one as it has taken over a year to get everything lined up!

Hides:

There are several hides in the area. We will use 4 different ones:

The Bog, often called “paradise”. This is the place where you can often see up to 6-8 bears and several wolves at the same time. Wolverines often can be seen as well.
The Lake. A small lake where its possible to shoot bears walking and playing at the shoreline. Great spot for reflection shots etc..
The Owl Forest. Great spot to shoot especially wolverines in a forest environment. bears and wolves often roam here too…
The Pine Forest. Fantastic forest scene with old trees with an almost mysterious atmosphere. Amazing place for all 3 predators.

Accommodations:

We will be staying at a nearby hotel. Single and twin rooms are available. The single supplement gives you your own room at an additional cost.

Airport of choice:

Rovaniemi (RVN). You must arrive the day before the tour starts.

Photography gear:

We recommend lenses in the range of 100-600mm. A detailed PDF file with gear, clothing and travel recommendations will be sent to all participants once the trip reaches its minimum.

Physical fitness:

No requirements. The hides are only max 100m away from the car.

Dates: August 5-11, 2026

Cost: $6999.usd, shared room

Single supplement-$800.

Limit 8

Included:

6 nights hotel accommodations/shared basis

6 days of hide photography where we will change blinds for different photo opportunities.

3 award winning photography guides and one local guide.

Expert field instruction including camera settings, gear selection, and exposure.

All ground transfers

Breakfast daily

Not Included:

Airfare to and from Rovaniemi (RVN)

Any nights prior or after the workshop.

Meals and drinks, with the exception of breakfast. We may have our dinners packed so we can bring them to the hide, this will be determined on location.

Laundry, or any additional items of a personal nature.

Visa and/or travel insurance.

TO SIGN UP FOR THIS EPIC ADVENTURE -CLICK HERE.

Deposit Information:

Please be sure to check your calendar carefully and to check out my Workshop Policy Page.

Note: Purchasing travel insurance is strongly recommended.

All images provided to me by my guide as this will be my first visit. That is why I am bringing along 3 guides. I want to insure we have the very best photo opportunities.

Image copyright Denise Ippolito, South Georgia.

South Georgia/Antarctic Peninsula Trips

July 19, 2025

I am happy to announce that I will be collaborating with Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris on an upcoming expedition to South Georgia/Antarctic Peninsula in 2027. I have traveled with Cheesemans' twice in the past. I have circumnavigated South Georgia and spent loads of time exploring the Falklands Islands and the species that inhabit it.

For most, this will be a trip of a lifetime and it’s important that you go with the right outfitter and Cheeseman’s is it. They offer top notch leaders such as Scott Davis and Huge Rose. Scott is now the co-owner and co-CEO of Cheesemans’ Ecology Safaris. Ted Cheeseman put me in touch with Scott and Krista with his blessing. For those of you that have travelled with Ted and his parents in the past you know how high their standards are. Scott is also an expert wildlife, nature, and travel photographer. He trained as a wildlife and marine biologist and has explored all seven continents for both research and photography. His work has been published in National Geographic, BBC, Animal Planet, NY Times, and more. So let’s talk about Huge Rose. For those of you that don’t know Huge, he has over 20 years of professional guiding experience under his belt. He is extremely knowledgeable and I have had the great pleasure of joining him on two of his South Georgia trips— and he truly is as good as it gets!

SOUTH GEORGIA AND ANTARCTIC PENINSULA OCTOBER 23-NOVEMBER 14, 2025

Set sail in October 2025 with Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris for an exceptional voyage limited to 100 passengers, venturing to the rugged beauty of South Georgia and the early season wonders of the Antarctic Peninsula. With over twenty-five years of Antarctic experience, we provide a deep dive into some of the planet’s most concentrated wildlife spectacles. October's unique timing means you'll witness the seasonal dynamism as South Georgia bursts into life and the Antarctic ice begins to retreat. Our small group size guarantees intimate wildlife encounters, making every landing and Zodiac cruise a personal experience with nature's most awe-inspiring scenes.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS 23-DAY TRIP

Spend an anticipated twelve full days on South Georgia Island and the Antarctic Peninsula with maximum shore time and Zodiac cruising.

See five penguin species (possibly 6)! Plus, many species of whales, seals, albatross, and seabirds.·Hear the cacophony of king penguins as you walk near colonies of up to 300,000 birds.
See gentoo, macaroni, chinstrap, and Adélie penguins as they start their breeding cycles.
Marvel at dramatic snow-capped mountains descending into valleys and glacier-fed rivers emptying into the ocean.
Watch southern elephant seal bulls defend their territories from competing bulls and females nursing pups during their peak breeding season.
See endangered gray-headed albatross on nests, only possible this time of year.
Hike or snowshoe on South Georgia Island. Take shorter walks in the Antarctic Peninsula.
With only 100 participants, everyone can land and/or Zodiac cruise at once, rather than in separate groups.
Our 15 leaders are polar specialists, photographers, and naturalists who will provide numerous lectures, workshops, and guided excursions. (In 2027, I will be one of those leaders, offering Photoshop, Lightroom, photography tips and more).

FOR MORE INFO ON THE 2025 TRIP, CHECK OUT THE LINK BELOW or contact me, I’d be happy to help you decide if this trip is a good fit.

CHEESEMANS’ South Georgia/Antarctic Peninsula Trip 2025

I understand that this is very last minute for a trip of this magnitude, but Cheeseman’s are offering a last-minute discount for anyone that can make it in 2025.

*Otherwise, wait until 2027, and join me. I will be offering plenty of perks to those joining my group. Photoshop techniques, Lightroom tips, Image review, photography instruction, gear suggestions for each landing as well as for the entire trip, and more! A very small sampling of my images below.

South Georgia &

Antarctic Peninsula 2027

Join me on this expedition to one of the world’s greatest wildlife destinations.

If you would like to be on the interested list for the Cheesemans’ South Georgia Island and the Antarctic Peninsula Oct/Nov, 2027 trip with me, please submit the contact form below or shoot me an email. I’ll be sure to get you in our group.